Paula Abdul discography

The discography of American singer and dancer Paula Abdul consists of three studio albums, two remix albums, five compilations, seventeen singles, eight B-sides, four video albums and ten other appearances.[1] Having found success as a choreographer for artists such as Janet Jackson, Abdul launched her own music career with the release of her debut studio album Forever Your Girl (1988). The album topped the Billboard 200 chart, and to date holds the record for the longest climb to number one for an album. The project spawned a number of successful singles, and is one of only nine albums to have four singles top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It went on to earn a seven-times platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Paula Abdul discography
Studio albums	3
Compilation albums	5
Video albums	4
Music videos	20
EPs	1
Singles	17
B-sides	8
Remix albums	2
Other appearances	10

Abdul released the Shut Up and Dance: Mixes (1990) remix album to a positive commercial reaction, earning a platinum certification from the RIAA. She continued to find success with the release of Spellbound (1991), her second studio album. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, climbing to the top soon after it was released. The album's first two singles both topped the Hot 100 chart with the first, "Rush Rush" becoming first number-one single in six years to spend more than four weeks on top. Third single "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" reached the top ten. Despite the album's achievements, it failed to match the success of its predecessor. Following a musical hiatus while dealing with personal issues, Abdul returned with the release of Head Over Heels (1995), her third and final studio effort. The album and coinciding singles were deemed commercial failures, and were met with a mixed reaction from critics. Following the release of the album, Abdul entered a second musical hiatus.

Following multiple attempts at resuming her career, Abdul released the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" (2008) with Randy Jackson. She later released "I'm Just Here for the Music" (2009) the following year, though neither single gained momentum on the charts. Since the start of her career, Abdul has sold over 53 million records worldwide.[2]

Albums

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, chart positions, sales, and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions										Certifications
		US [3]	AUS [4]	CAN [5]	FRA [6]	GER [7]	JPN [8]	NLD [9]	NZ [10]	SWE [11]	UK [12]
Forever Your Girl	Released: June 15, 1988 Label: Virgin (#90943)[13] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	1	1	1	12	24	95	19	19	6	3	RIAA: 7× Platinum[14] ARIA: Platinum[15] BPI: Platinum[16] GLF: Gold[17] MC: 7× Platinum[18] RMNZ: Platinum[19]
Spellbound	Released: May 14, 1991 Label: Virgin (#91611)[20] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	1	3	6	36	17	12	45	14	6	4	RIAA: 3× Platinum[14] ARIA: Gold[15] BPI: Gold[16] GLF: Platinum[17] MC: 5× Platinum[18]
Head Over Heels	Released: June 13, 1995 Label: Virgin (#40525)[21] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	18	27	21	—	—	32	74	—	—	61	RIAA: Gold[14]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details and chart positions

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US R&B [22]
The Greatest	Released: 1998 Label: Virgin (#VJCP 51044)[23] Formats: CD	—
Greatest Hits	Released: September 26, 2000 Label: Virgin (#48980)[24] Formats: CD	—
Greatest Hits: Straight Up!	Released: May 8, 2007 Label: Virgin (#90527)[25] Formats: CD, digital download	86
10 Great Songs	Released: June 14, 2011 Label: Virgin (#83249)[26] Formats: CD, digital download	46
Icon	Released: October 8, 2013 Label: Virgin (#B0018870-02) Formats: CD	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remix albums

List of remix albums, with selected details, chart positions, and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions									Certifications
		US [3]	AUS [4]	CAN [5]	FRA [6]	GER [7]	NLD [9]	NZ [10]	SWE [11]	UK [12]
Shut Up and Dance: Mixes	Released: May 8, 1990 Label: Virgin (#91362)[27] Formats: LP, CD, cassette	7	16	14	44	37	29	4	24	40	RIAA: Platinum[14] MC: Platinum[18] RMNZ: Gold[28]

Extended plays

List of extended plays with selected details

Title	Album details
The Singles	Released: January, 1992 Label: Virgin (#VJCP 14038)[29] Formats: CD (Japan exclusive)

Singles

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US [30]	AUS [31]	CAN [32]	FRA [33]	GER [7]	IRL [34]	NLD [35]	NZ [36]	SWE [37]	UK [12]
"Knocked Out"	1988	41	82	27	45	—	—	—	—	—	21		Forever Your Girl
"(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me"		3	76	5	—	—	—	—	12	—	74	RIAA: Gold[14]
"Straight Up"		1	27	2	12	3	—	2	6	2	3	RIAA: Platinum[14] BPI: Silver[16] GLF: Gold[38] MC: Gold[18]
"Forever Your Girl"	1989	1	51	1	—	17	—	13	11	—	24	RIAA: Gold[14]
"Cold Hearted"		1	68	2	33	38	—	63	25	—	46	RIAA: Gold[14] MC: Gold[18]
"Opposites Attract" (with The Wild Pair)		1	1	1	23	14	8	4	6	11	2	RIAA: Gold[14] ARIA: 2× Platinum[15] BPI: Silver[16] MC: Gold[18]
"1990 Medley Mix"	1990	—	33	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Shut Up and Dance: Mixes
"Rush Rush"	1991	1	2	1	24	12	11	6	7	7	6	RIAA: Gold[14] ARIA: Gold[15] GLF: Gold[38]	Spellbound
"The Promise of a New Day"		1	31	2	—	86	—	39	26	37	52
"Blowing Kisses in the Wind"		6	—	7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Vibeology"		16	63	19	—	46	29	20	50	—	19
"Will You Marry Me?"	1992	19	54	6	—	74	—	—	—	—	73
"My Love Is for Real"	1995	28	7	20	—	87	—	—	20	—	28		Head over Heels
"Crazy Cool"		58	76	49	—	89	—	—	—	—	—
"Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up"	1996	—[lower-alpha 1]	110	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" (with Randy Jackson)	2008	62	—	68	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1
"I'm Just Here for the Music"	2009	87	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

B-sides

Year	Title	Lead single (A-side)	Album
1988	"Next to You"	"Knocked Out" (Japan)[39]	Forever Your Girl
		"Forever Your Girl"[40]
	"The Paula Abdul Megamix"^[Q]	"The Way That You Love Me" (UK)[41]	single only
		"Opposites Attract" (1989)[42]
1989	"One or the Other"	"Cold Hearted"[43]	Forever Your Girl
		"Opposites Attract"[44]
1991	"Spellbound"	"Blowing Kisses in the Wind"[45]	Spellbound
1992	"Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)"	"Will You Marry Me?"[46]	For Our Children[47]
1995	"Didn't I Say I Love You?"	"My Love Is for Real"[48]	single only
	"The Choice Is Yours"	"Crazy Cool"[49]	Head over Heels
	"Love Don't Come Easy"	"Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up"[50]
Q ^ "The Megamix" features "Straight Up", "Cold Hearted", "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me", "Forever Your Girl" and "Knocked Out".[42]

Other appearances

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	"Anytime at All" by Dweezil Zappa	Guest appearance	Appears on Confessions by Zappa.[51]
	Sweet Insanity by Brian Wilson		Unreleased material with Wilson.[52]
1992	"Bend Time Back Around"	Lead vocalist	Appears on The Beverly Hills 90210 soundtrack.[53]
1993	"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"		Appears on For Our Children: The Concert.[54]
	"Cold Hearted (Live 1989)"		Appears on Rhino Pop Show Vol. 2.[55]
1995	"Crazy Love"		Bonus tracks on import release of Head over Heels.[56]
	"Highschool Crush"
2000	"Ooh La La La" by Nobody's Angel	Co-writer	Appears on Nobody's Angel by the group.[57]
	"Spinning Around" by Kylie Minogue		Appears on Light Years by Minogue.[58]
	"Megamix Medley"	Lead vocalist	Appears on Greatest Hits compilation.[24]
2012	"So Free" by Shine 2009	Guest appearance	Single released by Shine 2009.[59]

Videos

Video albums

Year	Title	Notes	Certification
1989	Straight Up^[R] Release date: 1989 Record label: Virgin (#VVD 639)[60] Format: VHS	Five-track album, featuring music videos: "Knocked Out (Re-edited Version)", "The Way That You Love Me", "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl" and "Cold Hearted".[60]	• RIAA: 2×Platinum[14]  • CRIA: Gold[18]
1992	Captivated: The Video Collection '92 Release date: June 29, 1992 Record label: Virgin (#VIR 769)[61] Format: VHS, LD	Five-track album, featuring music videos: "Opposites Attract", "Knocked Out (1990 Dance Remix Video)", "Rush Rush", "The Promise of a New Day" and "Blowing Kisses in the Wind".[61]	• RIAA: Gold[14]
1996	Under My Spell: Live Release date: February 27, 1996 Record label: Virgin (#6523)[62] Format: VHS	Twelve-track album, chronicling the Under My Spell Tour, recorded live in Yokohama, Japan.[62]
2005	Video Hits Release date: January 11, 2005 Record label: Virgin (#9771)[63] Format: DVD	Six-track album, featuring music videos: "Straight Up (Edited Version)", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", "Opposites Attract", "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day".[63]
R ^ Not to be confused with a VHS promotional release of the same title, featuring only "Straight Up" music video issued by Siren.[64]

Other video albums

Year	Title
1995	Get Up and Dance! Release date: August 22, 1995 Label: Artisan (#)[65] Format: VHS • DVD
1998	Cardio Dance Release date: November 24 Label: Anchor Bay (#)[66] Format: VHS • DVD
2003	Zoe's Dance Moves Release date: March 4, 2003 Label: Sesame Street (#)[67] Format: VHS • DVD
2006	Cardio Cheer Release date: December 26, 2006 Label: Trinity Home (#)[68] Format: 5×DVD (box set)

Music videos

Year	Title	Director
1988	"Knocked Out" (2 versions)	Danny Kleinman (original version)[69]
		Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson (remix)
	"(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me" (2 versions)	David Fincher[69]
1989	"Straight Up"
	"Forever Your Girl"
	"Cold Hearted"
	"Opposites Attract"	Candace Reckinger and Michael Patterson
1990	"1990 Medley Mix"	N/A
1991	"Skat Strut" by MC Skat Kat	N/A
	"Rush Rush"	Stefan Würnitzer
	"The Promise of a New Day"	Big TV!
	"Blowing Kisses in the Wind"
1992	"Vibeology" (2 versions)	N/A
	"Will You Marry Me?"	N/A
1995	"My Love Is for Real"	Michael Haussman
	"Crazy Cool"	Matthew Rolston
1996	"Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up"
2008	"Dance Like There's No Tomorrow"	Scott Speer and herself

Footnotes

1. "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, though did peak at number twelve on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

See also

• List of best-selling remix albums
• List of Billboard number-one singles (United States)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of number-one adult contemporary hits (United States)
• Billboard Year-End number one singles
• List of number-one singles (Canada)
• List of UK top 10 singles in 1991
• List of songs with most weeks at number-two (Australia)

References

1. For complete discography by Paula Abdul, use either her general or external links.
2. "Paula Abdul's 'stalker' found dead". Marie Claire. IPC Media. marieclaire.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2015-11-05. Retrieved 2013-02-06. Abdul has sold more than 53 million records.
3. "Paula Abdul - US - Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
4. "Paula Abdul - Australia - Albums". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
5. For peak positions of Abdul's albums in Canada, use a link depending on a title:
   • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Forever Your Girl". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
6. For peak positions of Abdul's albums in France, use the link below searching her name in the field Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé:
   • "Paula Abdul - France - Albums". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Info Disc. infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
7. "Paula Abdul - Germany - Albums/Singles". Media Control Charts (in German). GfK Entertainment. officialcharts.de. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
8. http://ranking.oricon.co.jp/free_contents/search/ranking_list.asp?itemcd=298361&samecd=1&chart_kbn=11A&linkcd=30009423%5B%5D
9. "Paula Abdul - Netherlands - Albums". GfK Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Media Control GfK International. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
10. "Paula Abdul - New Zealand - Albums". Recorded Music NZ (in Dutch). ung Medien. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
11. "Paula Abdul - Sweden - Albums". Hung Medien. eMedia Jungen. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
12. "Paula Abdul - UK - Albums/Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
13. Abdul, Paula (1988). Forever Your Girl (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
14. For sales certifications received by Abdul in the US, use the RIAA link:
    • US - Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
15. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
16. For sales certifications received by Abdul in the UK, use the BPI link:
    • UK - British Phonographic Industry (BPI) Archived 2010-01-17 at WebCite
17. https://web.archive.org/web/20110517224028/http://www.ifpi.se/wp/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf
18. For sales certifications received by Abdul in Canada, use the CRIA link:
    • Canada - Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA)
19. https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3414
20. Abdul, Paula (1991). Spellbound (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
21. Abdul, Paula (1995). Head over Heels (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
22. "CeCe Peniston - US - R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
23. Abdul, Paula (1998). The Greatest (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. Japan: Virgin Records.
24. Abdul, Paula (2000). Greatest Hits (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
25. Abdul, Paula (2007). Greatest Hits: Straight Up! (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
26. Abdul, Paula (2011). 10 Great Songs (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
27. Abdul, Paula (1990). Shut Up and Dance: Mixes (Liner Notes) (Vinyl Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
28. https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3421
29. Abdul, Paula (1991). The Singles (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. Japan: Virgin Records.
30. "Paula Abdul - US Billboard Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
31. Australian (ARIA) singles chart peaks:
    • Top 50 peaks: "Paula Abdul - Australia - Singles". ARIA Charts. Hung Medien. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Forever Your Girl" and "Knocked Out" (1989 release): "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2014-01-17". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
    • "Cold Hearted": "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 14 January 1990 (61–100)". Imgur.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21. N.B. The HP column displays the highest peak reached.
    • Top 100 peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
    • "Crazy Cool": "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 29 Oct 1995". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 2017-07-12.
    • "Blowing Kisses in the Wind" and "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up": "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 2015-07-15". Imgur.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
32. For peak positions of Abdul's singles in Canada, use a link depending on a title:
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Straight Up". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Forever Your Girl". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Cold Hearted". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me '89". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Opposites Attract". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Knocked Out '90". RPM. Archived from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Rush Rush". RPM. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "The Promise of a New Day". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Blowing Kisses in the Wind". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Vibeology". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Will You Marry Me?". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "My Love Is for Real". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
    • "Paula Abdul - Canada - Singles - "Crazy Cool". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
33. "Paula Abdul - France - Singles". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Webedia. chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
34. http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement Irishcharts.ie
35. "Paula Abdul - Netherlands - Singles". GfK Dutch Charts (in Dutch). Media Control GfK International. dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
36. "Paula Abdul - New Zealand - Singles". Recorded Music NZ (in Dutch). ung Medien. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
37. "Paula Abdul - Sweden - Singles". Hung Medien. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-03-21.
38. https://web.archive.org/web/20130819200333/http://www.ifpi.se/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf
39. Paula Abdul - "Next to You" (on "Knocked Out")
40. Paula Abdul - "Next to You" (on "Forever Your Girl)
41. Paula Abdul - "The Paula Abdul Megamix" (on "(It's Just) The Way That You Love Me")
42. Paula Abdul - "The Paula Abdul Megamix" (on "Opposites Attract")
43. Paula Abdul - "One or the Other" (on "Cold Hearted")
44. Paula Abdul - "One or the Other" (on "Opposites Attract")
45. Paula Abdul - "Spellbound" (on "Blowing Kisses in the Wind")
46. Paula Abdul - "Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)" (on "Will You Marry Me?")
47. For Our Children (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. United States of America: Walt Disney Records. 1991.CS1 maint: others (link)
48. Paula Abdul - "Didn't I Say I Love You?" (on "My Love Is for Real")
49. "The Choice Is Yours" (on "Crazy Cool")
50. "Love Don't Come Easy" (on "Ain't Never Gonna Give You Up")
51. Zappa, Dweezil (1991). Confessions (Liner Notes) (Double Vinyl Album). Dweezil Zappa. United Kingdom: Barking Pumpkin Records.
52. Wilson, Brian (1991). Sweet Insanity (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Brian Wilson. Australia: Ocean Records.
53. The Beverly Hills 90210 (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. United States of America: Giant Records. 1992.CS1 maint: others (link)
54. For Our Children: The Concert (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. United States of America: Walt Disney Records. 1992.CS1 maint: others (link)
55. Rhino Pop Show Vol. 2 (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Various artists. Trend Records.CS1 maint: others (link)
56. Abdul, Paula (1995). Head over Heels - Import Release (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Paula Abdul. Japan: Virgin Records.
57. Nobody's Angel (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Nobody's Angel. United States of America: Hollywood Records. 2000.CS1 maint: others (link)
58. Minogue, Kylie (2000). Light Years (Compact Disc). Kylie Minogue. United Kingdom: Parlophone Records.
59. "So Free (feat. Paula Abdul) – Single by Shine 2009". Apple Music. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
60. Abdul, Paula (1989). Straight Up (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
61. Abdul, Paula (1991). Captivated: The Video Collection '92 (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. European Union: Virgin Records.
62. Abdul, Paula (1996). Under My Spell: Live (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
63. Abdul, Paula (2005). Video Hits (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Virgin Records.
64. Paula Abdul - Straight Up (Promo, VHS)
65. Abdul, Paula (1995). Get Up And Dance! (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Artisan Entertainment.
66. Abdul, Paula (1998). Cardio Dance (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Anchor Bay Entertainment.
67. Abdul, Paula (2003). Zoe's Dance Moves (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Trinity Home.
68. Abdul, Paula (2006). Cardio Cheer (Liner Notes) (Video Album). Paula Abdul. United States of America: Trinity Home.
69. Music videos directors,